Successful Walk & Bike to School Day Celebration at Dolbeare
There was a wonderful turnout at the Dolbeare Elementary School for their Massachusetts Walk and Bicycle to School Day celebration on May 9, 2011. The weather was perfect after a postponement due to predicted rain (which never materialized), and hundreds of children, parents, dogs and even a hamster joined the celebration. Approximately 265 students turned out for the event.
Participating students were greeted at the Dolbeare by pom-pom waving teachers/cheerleaders and were handed Safe Routes to School stickers and bracelets. The students then signed a poster under their teacher’s name to win an award. The Golden Sneaker Award for most participants goes to Kathy Uva’s third grade class.
A large amount of teachers and staff pitched in to help, including teachers Jennifer Gallant, Erica (Nigro) Bibo, JoAnne Kenny, Ann Corbett, Paula Curley, Suzie Harte, Andrea Cosentino, Deb Lacey, Perry Pappas, Denise Yasi and Carol Willet, nurse Susan Siebeking and custodian Ken Malonson. Art teacher Frank Marino helped make the poster, and PE teacher/facilitator Maria Caruso, parent/Walking School Bus Coordinator Sherri Carlson, Principal Beth Yando and MassRIDES School Outreach Coordinator Anna Isaacson helped plan and execute the event. The event potentially inspired people to walk or bike to school daily instead of driving.